Chiefs continue their winning run

Five weeks into the new Gallagher Premiership season and Worcester Director of Rugby Alan Solomons believes it's already a two-horse race between Saracens and Exeter Chiefs for English rugby's top prize.

The South African's assessment came in the wake of his side being downed in Devon as the Chiefs maintained their unbeaten start to the new season with a 28-11 success at Sandy Park.

Rob Baxter's outfit bagged their fourth maximum haul of the campaign, but in truth they were never at their ruthless best and their esteemed leader admitted as much at the final whistle.

"We were sloppy at times today, especially in the second half," said Baxter.

However, an average day at the races for the Chiefs is more than a decent return for many of their rival runners and riders within the Premiership. On a perfect afternoon for rugby, the home side had too much power and pace for the Warriors, who were hoping to back up last weekend's impressive win at Leicester with another notable scalp in the Westcountry.

Exeter's powerful pack again did much of the major damage, creating tries for skipper Jack Yeandle, Harry Williams and a brace for Dave Ewers on his first league start of the season. Fly-half Gareth Steenson converted all four scores to take him to 2,000 league points in Chiefs colours.

In reply, the Warriors countered with a try from rising star Ted Hill and two penalties from Chris Pennell, but that was all they could muster as the Chiefs gained revenge on the Midlanders, who last season were the only visiting side to win at Sandy Park in the Premiership.

Ahead of kick-off, Baxter again tinkered with his winning formula from that which had ground out a hard-fought victory on the road at Newcastle. Up front, Yeandle was joined in a new-look front-row by Alec Hepburn and Tomas Francis, while behind them Dave Dennis and Ewers offered some signficant bulk to the Exeter engineroom.

Steenson was recalled as Chief playmaker, Ollie Devoto came into the midfield, while the inclusion of Jack Nowell on the wing meant the home side were forced to re-jig their back three. The Cornishman was one of two British Lions on the flank, the other being Alec Cuthbert, while Argentinian flyer Santiago Cordero slotted in at full-back.

For the full match report, go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-28-warriors-11